The longest staircase in the world can be found on the slopes of Mount Niesen in the Swiss Alps. The 11,674 steps run alongside the Niesenbahn funicular which travels from the side of the Kander river in Mülenen (altitude 693m) to the terminus near the 2362m summit of Mount Niesen. During the 28 minute ride, the funicular – which opened in 1910 – travels through lush Alpine woods, passes through several tunnels and across some elevated sections. While the staircase is only used by service personnel, it is opened to 200 people for one day a year for…